Researchers found evidence of a massive 4,500-year-old drought in Africa and Asia, as well as a rapid 5,200-year-old cooling event that accelerated tropical glacier growth. The findings suggest that similar changes are currently occurring globally.
A team of scientists from Canada, Spain and the US identified a key gene that allows plants to defend against environmental stresses like drought, freezing and heat. They discovered a receptor that activates abscisic acid (ABA), a hormone helping plants survive drought.
A new synthetic chemical, pyrabactin, has been identified as a potential solution for crops facing drought. The compound activates the ABA signaling pathway, helping plants survive in water-scarce conditions. Researchers at UC Riverside have developed a stable and easy-to-make chemical strategy to improve plant resilience.
A new study reveals that droughts in West Africa can last for decades, with some droughts lasting up to four times longer than the current Sahel drought. The research suggests that changes in Atlantic Ocean sea surface temperatures play a key role in sustaining these long periods of drought.
Researchers have developed an almost year-by-year record of the last 3,000 years of West Africa's climate, revealing that catastrophic droughts occurred every 30 to 65 years. The new research suggests that global warming may exacerbate the normal climate pattern, producing even more severe and prolonged droughts.
Scientists found that temperatures alone can kill drought-stressed piñon pine trees 28% faster, leading to 5 times more frequent die-offs. Carbon starvation is the primary mechanism behind tree mortality, and understanding this relationship is key to predicting future patterns.
Researchers found that intermittent rain in days before the tornado moistened some areas enough to create favorable conditions for severe storms. Urban landscape gave storms extra energy needed to spin up a tornado. Heat island effect amplified storm intensity.
A 30-year study reveals that drought causes massive carbon loss in tropical forests, mainly through killing trees, posing significant threat to climate change mitigation. The Amazon forest absorbs nearly 2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually but lost more than 3 billion tonnes during the 2005 drought.
The Amazon Rainforest's drought sensitivity is a growing concern due to climate change, threatening both nature and people. The study reveals that increasing drought can cause irreparable damage to the jungle and its carbon-sequestration abilities.
Researchers at Helmholtz Zentrum München sequenced sorghum's genome, gaining insights into its drought tolerance and C4 photosynthesis. The analysis provides new information on the evolution of crop plant genomes.
The sorghum genome sequence reveals its drought-tolerant properties and offers tools to breed more resilient crops. The genetic code is also being used to improve biofuel crops like sugarcane and Miscanthus, enhancing the efficiency of cellulosic ethanol production.
The completed genome data will aid in optimizing sorghum and other crops for food and fodder use, as well as biofuels production. Sorghum's rapid growth and ability to withstand drought make it an excellent candidate for biofuels production.
The sorghum genome has been sequenced by an international team, providing insights into the crop's potential for drought resistance. The findings could help improve food crops for arid regions with expanding human populations.
A recent study by the University of Leeds found that China's agricultural stability is fragile and vulnerability to drought has increased with urbanization. The country's reliance on low-quality land for high-profit crops poses a significant threat to global food supply, particularly for developing nations.
University of Missouri researchers are creating a comprehensive database of soybean proteins and metabolites to study changes under drought and stressed conditions. The database will help breeders engineer better-performing soybean plants using computerized models that predict physiological and biological changes.
A US death map shows that heat/drought and severe summer weather are leading causes of death, with the South and mountain west particularly vulnerable. The study highlights the importance of emergency management in reducing loss of life from natural hazards.
A recent study analyzing satellite data reveals a significant link between drought and deforestation in equatorial Asia, leading to increased global warming. The practice of using fire to clear forests releases substantial amounts of climate-warming carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Scientists have identified a group of genes in rice that enable a yield of up to 100% more in severe drought conditions. This breakthrough has the potential to bring relief to farmers in countries like India and Thailand, where rice crops are regularly affected by drought.
A new technique allows for a quantitative and precise determination of plant viability during drought stress using chlorophyll fluorescence. This method is non-invasive, easy to measure, and minimizes technical expertise, making it a valuable complement to existing methods.
A study by the University of Bayreuth and Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research found that extreme weather events like droughts and heavy rains can postpone or accelerate plant flowering times in Central Europe. On average, a one-month drought postponed the time of flowering by 4 days, equivalent to a decade of global warming.
Researchers used NMR spectroscopy to analyze pea plant leaves under drought stress, revealing key metabolites that increase in response. The findings could lead to the development of pea varieties more resistant to water scarcity, affecting global food production.
A UC Riverside botanist is investigating how Southern California's plants affect the region's drought. The research aims to identify plant species most susceptible to drought and predict water evaporation from desert chaparral ecosystems.
The International Rice Research Institute has received a $500,000 donation from 5 PRIME to support research on developing drought-tolerant rice varieties. This donation will strengthen IRRI's capabilities for efficient and cost-effective rice production.
Scientists have confirmed that century-long droughts occurred in eastern North America during the Holocene era, with evidence of seven major drought periods found in a stalagmite from West Virginia. The study suggests that weak solar activity cools the Atlantic Ocean and triggers droughts.
A recent study suggests that experienced elephant matriarchs give their family groups an edge in periods of famine and drought. The study found correlations between calf survivorship and the movements of the group, with older female members playing a crucial role.
Researchers study drought patterns in northwestern Africa, finding a recent drought is consistent with climate model projections. Hail precipitation in China decreases by nearly half since the 1980s, likely due to rising freezing levels. New data reveals variable wind speeds on Venus, including strong vertical shear at low latitudes.
Researchers have identified approximately 2000 genes that contribute to the increased drought tolerance of two Andean potato clones. The study found up-regulated genes involved in osmotic adjustment, detoxification, and cell communication and signaling, as well as increased solute concentrations to induce water uptake from drying soils.
Climate scientists warn that reducing sulphur dioxide emissions from coal burning could lead to increased sea surface temperatures in the tropical north Atlantic, causing droughts in the Amazon rainforest. The study estimates a heightened risk of drought every other year by 2025 and nine out of ten years by 2060.
A new study found that dust raised by farmers amplified and spread natural drought, turning an ordinary drying cycle into disaster. The researchers warn that current pressures on farmland could worsen food crises like the Dust Bowl in other regions.
Scientists at the University of Helsinki and the University of California have discovered a gene regulating carbon dioxide uptake and water evaporation in plants. This gene helps develop drought-tolerant crops, addressing climate change's impact on global food production.
Junipers' adaptation to avoid 'cavitation' allows them to withstand dry conditions, while their low specific leaf area enables them to conserve water. This study reveals the key structural features behind juniper trees' exceptional drought tolerance.
A University of Alberta study found that beaver presence increases open water availability by up to nine times, providing habitat and resources for land animals, amphibians, and livestock. The study suggests climate models predict increased drought frequency and length, where beavers can play a crucial role in maintaining wetlands.
Scientists have sequenced the genome of moss Physcomitrella patens, which can survive severe dehydration and regrow when watered. The study aims to identify genes controlling these survival tactics and adapt crops for drought-stricken areas.
Researchers found that smaller tropical storms and depressions contribute significantly to cumulative rainfall, with over half of the seasonal rainfall attributed to these weaker systems. In contrast, major hurricanes produce heavy rainfall on any given day but are not the primary storm type relieving drought in the region.
The new 'Raider Amethyst' prairie verbena is a water-conserving wildflower bred to provide compact, dependable color in drought-tolerant landscapes. It reduces urban water usage by utilizing potable water-efficient plants like Raider Amethyst.
UC Riverside scientists will use genomic technology to develop new and improved cowpea cultivars with drought tolerance and resistance to pests and diseases. The goal is to benefit resource-poor African farmers by increasing yields and income generation.
A recent study found that ponds' community diversity converges after a drought, with only hardy species able to withstand the conditions. This convergence has important implications for wetland restoration and creation, highlighting the need to consider stochasticity and beta diversity in ecological restorations.
Despite predictions of collapse, Amazon forests in drought-stricken regions grew more vigorously during the 2005 drought, indicating a positive response to drought conditions. This finding contradicts global climate models and suggests a negative feedback loop that could slow down global warming.
Scientists have developed a new type of rice that grows better and uses water more efficiently than other rice crops. The HARDY gene improves key features of the grain crop, leading to increased biomass under both drought and non-drought conditions.
A NASA researcher has created a new method to anticipate food shortages brought on by drought using satellite remote sensing of crop growth and food prices. The model can help humanitarian aid organizations and decision makers predict how much food will be available and its cost, taking climate variables into account.
A NASA researcher has developed a new method to anticipate food shortages brought on by drought using satellite remote sensing of crop growth and food prices. The model can help government and humanitarian aid officials plan and respond to drought-induced food price increases, reducing the risk of famine.
Researchers reconstruct tree-ring record of upper Colorado streamflows back seven centuries, revealing 25-year drought period with 15% below normal flow. The megadrought spanned 1118-1179, with 13 consecutive years of below-normal flows, and is comparable to the region's last 100 years of below-average flows.
Researchers found that drought sensitivity is a key factor shaping tropical plant species distribution patterns, with denser plants on wetter sides and fewer on drier ones. This study provides new insights into the importance of water availability in shaping tropical forest ecosystems.
Researchers found that drought tolerance predicts plant distributions at local and regional scales in tropical forests. Drought-tolerant plants are more common in dry sites than in wet sites, even in humid forests.
Researchers found that de-stocking livestock and receiving cash helped families feed themselves, maintain core herds, and access vital services during droughts. This approach supported local economies and reduced the need for humanitarian assistance.
Researchers found a single pathway that channels distress signals from chloroplasts to the nucleus in plants, enabling the activation or deactivation of certain genes. This 'master switch' could lead to new generations of plants with improved drought and stress tolerance.
The US should implement a national drought policy to ensure sustainable water supplies for drinking, agriculture, and fisheries. Climate change models predict warmer and wetter weather, but regions like the southwestern US may experience increased drought risk.
A new research program will accelerate its work to improve African farmers' livelihoods with enhanced, drought-tolerant maize varieties. The initiative aims to reduce the impact of unpredictable rainfall and recurring drought on maize harvests, giving farmers a 25-30% yield boost.
Researchers discovered that quick-growing plants like weeds can adapt in just a few years to climate change, whereas slower-growing plants struggle. This finding suggests that annual plants may thrive better in warmer conditions, leading to potential changes in Earth's plant life.
A new tree-ring study links episodic fire outbreaks in the past five centuries with periods of warming sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic. The study suggests that warmer waters in the North Atlantic correspond with episodes of drought and subsequent fires in the West.
The CGIAR research program aims to develop climate-resilient crops like maize, sorghum, and millet that can withstand drought and heat. Researchers are using molecular biology tools to identify genetic hot spots in these crops, enabling them to capture solar energy more efficiently and produce greater yields.
A new study from Queensland University of Technology finds that climate change caused a series of massive droughts to kill giant kangaroos and other megafauna in south-east Queensland 40,000 years ago. The research provides evidence that the prehistoric big dry was responsible for extinctions, contradicting some theories that humans we...
A climatologist and a political scientist argue that planning for droughts can minimize losses. In contrast, the US still reacts to droughts as unexpected emergencies, wasting resources. Experts call for a shift in perspective and proactive risk management.
A recent study found that factors such as development, population growth, and failing water supply systems contribute significantly to water emergencies in Rockland County, N.Y. The researchers' findings suggest that the balance between water demand and supply is becoming increasingly fragile due to human activities.
Researchers identify key factors that contribute to the amplification and transmission of West Nile Virus, including drought-induced conditions and specific mosquito species. By understanding these local conditions, control strategies can be devised to prevent the spread of the disease.
Researchers found that periwinkle snails, normally harmless, played a significant role in killing off thousands of acres of salt marsh in the Southeast during intense droughts. The study reveals that extreme climatic events can trigger formation of grazer fronts, leading to habitat die-off in stable ecosystems.
Research reveals that drought-stressed soils create an environment conducive to the spread of fungal disease by predatory periwinkles, which graze on cordgrass. This top-down approach to salt marsh ecology challenges long-held assumptions about the main causes of marsh die-off.
A team of researchers has successfully engineered a drought-resistant gene into tomato plants, resulting in stronger root systems that can better utilize limited water. The technology could be applied to all crops, addressing the global concern of water scarcity and potentially increasing food production.
Researchers found three pronounced cooling periods indicating drought, linked to African deforestation and global temperature increases. The study suggests that these changes will disrupt the monsoon system, affecting agriculture and food security in equatorial Africa.
Research revealed that a massive pinyon pine die-off in the Southwest was caused by hot and dry conditions, which are predicted by global climate change models. The study found that temperatures coupled with drought led to tree mortality, affecting ecosystems for decades.